Herricks High School Library Media Specialist and History Day adviser Samantha Gerantabee was nominated for the Harris History Teacher Award by the Fenimore Art Museum, administrator of the National History Day program in New York. This award, presented annually to one high school teacher and another at the middle school level, is sponsored by James F. Harris.
As the high school nominee from New York, Gerantabee was selected based on her ability to clearly illustrate the development and use of creative teaching methods that interest students in history and help them make exciting discoveries about the past. She is now eligible to be considered for one of two national distinctions.
Herricks has a longstanding success streak with the National History Day competition. Students, who participate as part of an academic club, routinely excel at the regional and state levels each year and have advanced to the national competition. Gerantabee, who has co-advised the high school group with social studies teacher Melissa Jacobs since 2002, has experience with National History Day that spans back two decades. She has been involved since 1998 as a New York City social studies teacher and New York City History Day event coordinator.
Gerantabee and Jacobs guide the high school students from start to finish, overseeing them as they explore the theme, choose a topic, conduct historical research, synthesize and analyze information and take on the creative process of completing an entry. Both advisers also go to all levels of the competition and are on the Long Island History Day Board of Directors.
“The students that participate truly want to be a part of the program,” Gerantabee said. “Melissa and I are a great team with years of experience and dedication to the program. We love and believe in it!”
“Teachers are one of the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to be successful in both college and their careers,” said National History Day Executive Director Cathy Gorn. “The nominees for the Harris History Teacher Award have shown a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom. I congratulate Ms. Gerantabee on her nomination.”
